Jul 22, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez (25) celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Creating a good baseball team is difficult when ownership buys store brand players over elite players.
As Spring Training approaches, clubs will assess their skills and try to improve on last year’s results. The Pittsburgh Pirates, like every other team, have challenges, but there are three major concerns in Bradenton.
Which first baseman?
I feel like Billy Beane’s scouts in Moneyball every time I bring this up, but the Pittsburgh Pirates’ biggest concern is first base, and who will play there. The Pirates’ depth chart has Rowdy Tellez as the starter, but I expect another rotation. Tellez is 28 and should be in peak athletic shape, but at 275 pounds, his performance is doubtful. He may pop, but consistency is a concern. Time will tell if he hits 35 home runs or only 10. Connor Joe might make a few appearances, but this is a problem that should be discussed all year, especially in spring ball.
Who will emerge from rotation?
I want to be hopeful about Pittsburgh’s pitchers, who have been discussed. The bulk of our best prospects are pitchers, which is positive, but we need more from our current players. Mitch Keller is an All-Star and can win huge games in tiny doses. Keller has proved that he is not elite and cannot carry a squad when needed, requiring the club to locate a good running companion. The highly anticipated Quinn Priester struggled with promotion, while JT Brubaker missed all of last year following Tommy John surgery. Since Paul Skenes and Jared Jones may be called to Pittsburgh shortly, Spring Training will be a good test.
Pirates got what from Henry Davis?
For better or worse, Endy Rodriguez appeared to be the team’s 2024 starting catcher. After injuring himself in the Dominican Winter League, Rodriguez will miss the entire season, and the organization wants Henry Davis to be their full-time catcher. Davis hasn’t started a game at catcher and has largely played right field, making this difficult. Davis had a history of injuries in the Minors, so a complete Major League season may not be an exception. Jason Delay will presumably play if Davis can’t, but this is Davis’ once-in-a-lifetime chance to avoid being sent back to the outfield corner. When healthy, he has shown his pop in the batter’s box and athleticism, but catcher is not a position anybody can leap into. By the end of Spring Training, Davis should be ready for this massive responsibility.
Other issues must be addressed, but those are three of 2024’s Pittsburgh ball club’s many questions. Comment on what jumps out for the Pirates at Spring Training.
